The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed 1,528 Ebola cases, including 492 deaths, as the country's latest outbreak continues to expand, EDnews reports.
According to the latest situation report released by the DRC's public health authorities on Saturday, 239 patients have recovered, while 628 confirmed cases remain in isolation or receiving treatment. Health officials have also identified 185 suspected cases currently under investigation.
Authorities said the number of weekly confirmed infections continues to increase, with epidemiological weeks 25 and 26 each recording more than 300 new cases—the highest weekly totals since the outbreak began—highlighting ongoing community transmission.
Health officials cited several major challenges in containing the outbreak, including resistance to post-mortem sampling in some communities, limited capacity at Ebola treatment centers, particularly in North Kivu province, inadequate contact tracing, delays in laboratory testing, shortages of medical and infection-prevention supplies, and insecurity that has restricted access to some affected areas.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday that a clinical trial has begun enrolling patients in the DRC to assess potential treatments for Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
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